TWC is planning to ramp up our Domestic Violence Awareness Month Purple Qaspeq campaign this year with a purple qaspeq auction, but first we need some qaspeqs to action off. We have lots of nice purple fabrics, we just need some fabulous creative sewers to donate their time to turn it into beautiful qaspeqs for us. If you or someone you know would like to help us with this project, please email or call Lisa at lisa_whalen@twcpeace.org or 907-545-1855. Thank you so much for working with us to make the Delta safe for all women and children!

Last week, TWC hosted a retreat for shelter residents and staff together, called Qinuitnakun Pillgutekluta (Togetherness Through Peace).

The day began with an Elder-led prayer & breakfast with the shelter families and TWC staff. Several residents commented on how nice it was to eat together.

Elders provided teachings & stories for two hours. This was followed with a snack of traditional Native foods shared with families, the Elders and some TWC staff. The Elders commented, “This was nice and the way it should be.”

While shelter residents and staff listened to the teachings of the Elders, a large group of children were provided guided activities. Children were heard talking, “Something fun is happening!”

The families prepared to go on a boat ride and look for berries. An Elder accompanied the families on the boat.

The Elder opened dinner with a prayer and families and staff ate together. Staff were able to help with children and infants so mothers could eat and talk with the Elder and other adults. A resident said, “This is like a family day!”

The evening ended with a drumming circle. TWC provided childcare for children too young to participate in the drumming circle. The Elder left saying it was, “A good fun day. I’m glad I was invited.”

We are so excited to announce the premier of our new film, The Drum Keeper.
A free screening of The Drum Keeper will take place on September 19, 2017 at 7:00 pm at the YP Cultural Center.
Concessions will be sold by Teens Acting Against Violence (TAAV) members.

The Drum Keeper follows the story of an intertribal drum, created in Bethel and used in drumming circles and talking circles for many years. This drum has provided a space around which many different groups of people have come together to share stories and strategies for living a healthy life and fostering respectful relationships. As the creator of the drum moves on to his home downstates, this film captures the effort, through TWC’s Engaging Men and Boys program, to pass on the care of the drum to a young man from Bethel attending Kuskokwim Learning Academy. At its heart, this is a film about the connection between the love, energy and skill required to care for a drum and learning to apply those same efforts to caring for each other and ourselves.

To support the Engaging Men and Boys program and other important programs at TWC, please click here! Thank you for all you do to support the development of culturally relevant opportunities and healthy relationship skills for youth throughout the YK Delta.

THANK YOU!

TWC would like to join our sister programs throughout the state in extending our sincerest thanks to Diane Kaplan, Rasmuson Foundation, State of Alaska, Wells Fargo, Mat-Su Health Foundation, The Foraker Group, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, Bethel Community Services Foundation, The Verizon Foundation, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, the Ambassador to Qatar, Dana Shell Smith, Steve Fishback, Martha Schoenthal, Doug Cobb and everyone else who worked on the Domestic Violence Shelter Improvement Program that paid for our shelter’s deferred maintenance. New countertops, ovens, washers and HVAC may not seem like the most exciting of projects, but they are helping our lives run much more smoothly here at TWC. We are especially thankful for the HVAC – ours has been problematic since we’ve been in our new building and it’s incredibly satisfying to finally have it fixed!

“Just as domestic violence can leave a physical and emotional mark on the body and spirit, the presence of TWC in the YK Delta has left a mark on the community that shines in a positive way, like a beacon of hope for life–a healthy life free of fear and harm.” – Monica Charles, TWC Board Secretary

Please consider making a Pick.Click.Give contribution to Tundra Women’s Coalition when you file electronically for your PFD. Your support ensures a safe place in the YK Delta for women and children fleeing violence. Additionally, your contribution automatically enters you into the BCSF-sponsored Give+Get drawing for $1000 or $500 for you AND $1000 or $500 for the YK Delta nonprofit of your choice!

If you have already filed and would like to add or increase your contribution, please visit pfd.alaska.gov or click here and click the green button labeled “Add or change your Pick.Click.Give. donation.”

Thank you for your generosity and vision for safety across the YK Delta!

Tundra Women’s Coalition has wishes to be filled this holiday season! The #bethelgives #GivingTuesday campaign has created a Wish Book to make it easy for people, families and groups who are passionate about our mission of safety and empowerment to support us in achieving our goals. Click here to learn about our needs, our mission and our impact in Bethel and the surrounding region! We will accept items and monetary contributions at the #bethelgives Saturday market table on November 26th and throughout the holiday season!

If you have any questions about Tundra Women’s Coalition, the #bethelgives campaign or ways you can help TWC fulfill our mission, please call or email Lisa Whalen at lisa_whalen@twcpeace.org / 907-545-1855 or call TWC’s main office at 907-543-3444.